Oral History of Exxon Valdez now available online

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Project Jukebox

The council recently partnered with the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Oral History Program to create an online oral history of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Through the University’s Project Jukebox website, visitors can access video, audio, and written resources that offer a rich understanding of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The personal stories of twenty people who experienced the spill firsthand are highlighted in the project. Each person talks about the impact the spill had on their life and the environment, the cleanup response, the long-term effects of the spill, and changes in the oil industry since 1989. Twenty-five years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Project Jukebox is helping preserve this piece of history. Many of these stories are being told for the first time. The experiences documented on the Project Jukebox site are now accessible to the public.

Read more

July 2014 issue of The Observer now available

Photo of Liberty Bay courtesy of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.
Photo of Liberty Bay oil tanker courtesy of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

The July 2014 issue of The Observer newsletter is now available on our website. Read to find out more about new oil tankers coming to Prince William Sound, an update on recent contingency plan reviews, the recent passing of former executive director John Devens and board members Walt Parker and Iver Malutin, a council project to document the oral history of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and an update from our outreach coordinator who took a trip into the Sound to attend the annual Chenega Bay memorial.

Walt Parker and Iver Malutin

Walt Parker and Iver Malutin on a beach in Seldovia, September 2010
Walt Parker (left) and Iver Malutin (right) on a beach in Seldovia, September 2010. Photo by Linda Robinson.

On Wednesday, June 25, the council lost two members of our family, Walt Parker and Iver Malutin. Walt was 87, and Iver was 82.

Walt served as a board member representing the Oil Spill Region Environmental Coalition for the past ten years.

From the Anchorage Daily News website: Longtime Alaska resources and transportation consultant Walter Parker dead at 87 -and- Remembering man of many hats who profoundly shaped Alaska

From Cordova Times: WALT PARKER – A giant in Alaska’s history

Iver represented the Kodiak Village Mayors Association on our board from 2008-2013. Kodiak’s KMXT Radio has a nice piece about Iver: Remembering Iver Malutin

Former council executive director passes

John Devens
John Devens

John Devens, former executive director for the council, passed away last Friday at age 74. John was the mayor of Valdez when the Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989. He was the first president of the Prince William Sound Community College, and was the president of Connecting Ties, a a non-profit corporation that works with individuals with disabilities.

The Alaska Dispatch has a wonderful article about John here:  John Devens, mayor who led Valdez through Exxon oil spill, dies at 74

The family is building to endow the Dr. John Devens Scholarship which will support future students at Prince William Sound Community College. Donation can be made to: UA Foundation, Dr. John Devens Scholarship Fund, 1815 Bragaw St., Ste. 203, Anchorage, AK 99508.

 

 

Skip to content